US20090014305A1 - Sheet switch module - Google Patents
Sheet switch module Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090014305A1 US20090014305A1 US12/172,200 US17220008A US2009014305A1 US 20090014305 A1 US20090014305 A1 US 20090014305A1 US 17220008 A US17220008 A US 17220008A US 2009014305 A1 US2009014305 A1 US 2009014305A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- light
- sheet
- circuit board
- switch module
- module according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
- H01H13/83—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2205/00—Movable contacts
- H01H2205/016—Separate bridge contact
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2219/00—Legends
- H01H2219/036—Light emitting elements
- H01H2219/044—Edge lighting of layer
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2219/00—Legends
- H01H2219/054—Optical elements
- H01H2219/056—Diffuser; Uneven surface
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2219/00—Legends
- H01H2219/054—Optical elements
- H01H2219/062—Light conductor
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2221/00—Actuators
- H01H2221/002—Actuators integral with membrane
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2221/00—Actuators
- H01H2221/05—Force concentrator; Actuating dimple
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2221/00—Actuators
- H01H2221/07—Actuators transparent
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a sheet switch module used in small electronic devices or the like such as mobile phones.
- a conventional key switch used in small electronic devices or the like includes, as shown in FIG.5 , a circuit board 2 , a plurality of switches 10 provided on an upper surface of the circuit board 2 , a plurality of light sources 8 mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 2 , and a light-guiding plate 12 disposed to cover the switches 10 (for reference, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-53063, in particular FIG. 9 ).
- Each of the switches 10 includes a fixed contact 4 mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 2 and a movable contact 6 which is disposed to cover the fixed contact 4 and comprises a tact spring.
- a key top 14 is provided above each of the switches 10 . Light emitted from each of the light sources 8 enters the light guiding-plate 12 , thereby each key top 14 is illuminated by light emitted from the light guiding plate 12 .
- a light-guiding sheet 16 is disposed to cover an upper surface of the movable contact 6 and an upper surface of the circuit board 2 and adhered thereto through an adhesive 18 (for reference, see FIG. 1 or the like of above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-53063).
- an adhesive 18 for reference, see FIG. 1 or the like of above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-53063.
- the light-guiding sheet 16 tends to curve at a boundary between the upper surface of the movable contact 6 and the upper surface of the circuit board 2 , light is diffused at the curved portion thereby generating loss of the light, and there is a problem that light-guiding efficiency throughout the entire light-guiding sheet is reduced.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet switch module configured to arrange a light guiding plate in a horizontal (level) state, guide efficiently light emitted from a light source and prevent the generation of a displacement or gap between the light-guiding plate and other parts.
- a sheet switch module includes a circuit board, at least one switch mounted on an upper surface of the circuit board, at least one light source mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board; and a light-guiding plate including at least one light-receiving part and a light-guiding part which is disposed above the switch, the at least one light-receiving part each extended from a lower surface of the light-guiding part toward the upper surface of the circuit board, and the at least one light-receiving part supporting the light-guiding plate on the upper surface of the circuit board.
- the light-guiding part has a thickness thinner than a height of the light source and the each of the at least one light-receiving part has a portion thicker than the height of the light source.
- the at least one light-receiving part each has a concavely curved lower surface which extends from the lower surface of the light-guiding part, and a convexly curved surface connected to the concavely curved lower surface at a lowest position adjacent to the upper surface of the circuit board.
- the light-guiding part has at least one protrusion on the lower surface of the light-guiding part at a position which corresponds to each of the at least one switch on the upper surface of the circuit board.
- the at least one light-receiving portion and the at least one protrusion which project from the lower surface of the light-guiding plate support the light-guiding plate on the upper surface of the circuit board.
- Each of switches includes at least one fixed contact fixed to the upper surface of the circuit board and at least one movable contact each disposed over the corresponding fixed contact and attached to the upper surface of the circuit board at a peripheral edge of the movable contact.
- the sheet switch module further includes a sheet disposed on an upper surface of the at least one movable contact and fixing the at least one movable contact to the upper surface of the circuit board.
- the sheet switch module further includes a key top sheet disposed above the light guiding plate and including at least one key top each at a position facing each of the at least one switch, and the light guiding plate is disposed between the key top sheet and the switch.
- the sheet switch module has the at least one light-receiving part each has a configuration to collect light emitted from the light source.
- the sheet switch module has the at least one light-receiving part each fixed to the upper surface of the circuit board at a lowest part of the light-incident part by a first adhesive layer.
- the sheet switch module has the light-guiding plate having at least one protrusion, and a lowest part of the at least one protrusion fixed to a top portion of the sheet at a positions where each switch is disposed under the sheet.
- the lowest part of the protrusion is fixed to the top portion by a second adhesive layer.
- the sheet switch module further includes a light-shielding sheet adhered to the upper surface of the light guiding plate at an area facing the light-receiving part.
- the sheet switch module further includes a light-shielding layer provided on the upper surface of the sheet adjacent to the light-receiving part.
- FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a part of a sheet switch module according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main section of the sheet switch module shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of a part of the sheet switch module shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the sheet switch module, showing one example of dot arrangement.
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a structure of a conventional key switch.
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a structure of another conventional key switch.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a sheet switch module according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- the sheet switch module in this embodiment includes a circuit board 20 formed by a flexible circuit board or the like and at least one switch 27 mounted on the circuit board 20 .
- a plurality of switches are provided on un upper surface of the circuit board 20 .
- each of the switches 27 includes a fixed contact 22 disposed on the upper surface of the circuit board 20 and a movable contact 26 which has a dome shape over the fixed contact 22 and has a peripheral edge disposed on and in contact with an electrode pattern 24 on the upper surface of the circuit board 20 .
- the movable contact comprises, for example, a tact spring having a dome shape to achieve an electrical connection between the corresponding electrode pattern 24 and a corresponding fixed contact 22 disposed under the movable contact when pressed from above.
- the sheet switch module also includes a thin material 28 formed in a shape of sheet or film and adhered to upper surfaces of the circuit board 20 and the movable contacts 26 along upper external shapes thereof.
- the sheet or film 28 acts to securely attach the movable contact 26 to the upper surface of the circuit board 20 .
- any other suitable members capable of attaching securely the movable contacts 26 to the upper surface of the circuit board 20 may be used.
- the sheet switch module further includes a plurality of key tops 46 each of which is disposed above each of the switches 27 and a lower part of each of the key tops 46 is configured to press the switch 27 from above, at least one light source such as light-emitting diode (LED) 30 which comprises at least one LED element mounted on the upper surface and at a peripheral part of the circuit board 20 , and a light-guiding plate 32 formed in a shape of sheet or film which receives light emitted from at least one LED 30 disposed at a periphery thereof and guides the received light to the key tops 46 .
- the key tops 46 are integrally formed with a key-top sheet 48 , which is described hereinafter.
- a plurality of LEDs are mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 20 , and each of the LEDs emits light in a direction parallel to an upper surface of the circuit board 20 and may have a reflection frame 30 a configured to make lights toward a corresponding light-receiving part 34 of the light-guiding plate 32 , in other words, in an emission direction E (see FIG. 2 ).
- the reflection frame 30 a in this embodiment is disposed on at least upper and lower part of an emission section resin which seals the at least one LED elements.
- the light-guiding plate 32 is made of a material having an excellent light-guiding or light-transmitting property such as acryl resin, silicone resin, polycarbonate resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, urethane resin, and so on.
- the light-guiding plate 32 includes a plurality of light-receiving parts 34 each of which is configured to receive light emitted from the corresponding LED and a light-guiding part 39 configured to guide the light received at the light-receiving parts 34 .
- the light-guiding part has a thickness thinner than a height of the light source and the light-receiving part including a portion whose thickness is thicker than the height of the light source.
- Each of the light-receiving parts 34 has a concavely curved lower surface integrally extending from a lower surface of the light guiding part 39 to the upper surface of the circuit board, and has a convexly curved surface which is connected to the concavely curved lower surface at a position adjacent to the upper surface of the circuit board and extended upward to at least a height of the lower surface of the light-guiding part and extended over an upper surface of the LEDs 30 in a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 .
- Each of the light-receiving parts 34 has at a surface facing the corresponding LED 30 the convexly curved surface facing a front surface of the LED and at a side facing the at least one switch a concavely curved surface which is gently depressed toward a side of the LED 30 .
- the light-guiding plate 32 is positioned in a horizontal or level state supported by each of the light-receiving parts 34 extending to an upper surface of the circuit board 20 and the lower surface which are disposed on top portions 28 a of the sheet material 28 .
- Each of the light-receiving parts 34 in the embodiment has an approximately crescent-like shape which is disposed to face and surround each of light-emitting surfaces the LEDs 30 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and formed to surround the emission direction in a generally semi-circular shape, as viewed from above, as shown in FIG. 3 .
- Each of the light-receiving parts 34 also works as a lens to focus light, similar to a convex lens and is configured to collect lights from each of the LEDs 30 and allow the collected lights to be transmitted through the light-guiding plate 32 .
- the light-guiding plate 32 in the embodiment includes a plurality of protrusions 36 each of which is provided at a position facing a top portion 28 a of the sheet 28 opposing an apex of each of the movable contacts 26 and has a shape similar to a part of a sphere.
- the protrusions 36 may be formed, for example, by printing resin on the lower surface of the light-guiding plate 32 .
- reference number 38 shows a first adhesive layer disposed to face each of the light-receiving parts
- reference number 40 a second adhesive layer disposed to face each of the top portions 28 a of the sheet material 28
- the first adhesive layer 38 is provided on the upper surface of the circuit board 20 to fix a lowest part of the light-receiving part 34 to the upper surface of the light-guiding plate 32
- the second adhesive layer 40 is configured to fix a lowest part of each of the protrusions 36 to each of the top portions 28 a of the sheet 28 at a position where each of the switches is provided under the sheet 28 .
- reference number 42 shows a light-shielding sheet which is adhered to the upper surface of the light-guiding plate 32 at an area above LEDs 30 and light-receiving parts 34 .
- Reference number 44 shows a light-shielding layer formed on an upper surface of the sheet 28 by printing, for example, and the light-shielding layer 44 is disposed at an area adjacent to each light-receiving part 34 and opposite to the corresponding LED 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ).
- the aforementioned key top sheet 48 provided with the key tops 46 each of which is disposed at a position corresponding to each of the switches 27 is disposed on the light-guiding plate 32 .
- the key top sheet 48 is disposed above the light-guiding plate 32 in such a manner that the key tops 46 are disposed facing the switches 27 , respectively.
- the key top sheet 48 has a light-transmitting property at key tops 46 , at least.
- Each of the key tops 46 is lighted up by transmitted light through the light-guiding plate 32 . Therefore, light-diffusing parts 33 , each formed by a plurality of dots 33 a are preferably provided at portions of an upper or lower surface of the light-guiding plate 32 at positions facing the key tops 46 , as shown in FIG. 3 . The light being transmitted through the light-guiding plate 32 is diffused by the dots 33 a to illuminate the key tops 46 .
- the dots 33 a in the embodiment are structured to form gradation patterns having increasing density of dots with increasing distance from the LEDs 30 to obtain uniform emission.
- the dots 33 a can be formed by any one or any combination of transparent, semi-transparent and white printings. In this way, when combining the transparent, semi-transparent and white printings to obtain the uniform emission, the number and the density of the dots 33 a are set to be constant, and the transparent, semi-transparent and white dots 33 a are arranged in order according to distance from the LED 30 , as shown in FIG. 4 .
- the light-guiding plate 32 in the sheet switch module is supported by the light-receiving parts 34 extended from the lower surface of the light-guiding plate 32 to the upper surface of the circuit board and the protrusions 36 which are provided on the lower surface of the light-guiding portion and disposed on the top portions 28 a of the sheet material 28 .
- the height of each of the light-receiving parts 34 is set to have the similar height to an added height of each of the top portions 28 a (from the upper surface of the circuit board 20 ) and a protrusion 36 , the light-guiding plate 32 is supported in a generally horizontal (level) state. Because the light-guiding plate 32 is supported in the horizontal state in this way, the light-guiding part 39 is kept straight and stable, the light introduced into the light-guiding plate can be guided efficiently to the key tops 46 .
- the key top sheet 48 can be disposed above the light-guiding plate 32 in a state where each key top 46 is in contact with the light-guiding plate 32 even if the key top 46 is not adhered to the light-guiding plate 32 . It is possible to fix the key top sheet 48 , except for parts thereof with key tops 46 , by adhering it to the light-guiding plate 32 , the circuit board 20 or the like. Because the key top 46 is in close contact with the switch 27 without adhesively attaching the key top and the switch, it is possible to prevent degradation of click feeling of the switch 27 .
- the protrusion 36 is provided on the lower surface of the light-guiding part 39 contacting with the top portion 28 a of the sheet material 28 to enhance pressing operational feeling and allow adjustment of the height of the light-guiding plate compared to the height of the light-receiving part 34 , but the lower surface of the light-guiding plate 32 may be attached directly to the top portion 28 a of the sheet material, without providing the protrusion 36 .
- the light-receiving part 34 of the light-guiding plate 32 is formed in a lens shape facing the LED 30 , as shown in FIG. 2 .
- the light-guiding plate 32 can receive the light emitted from the LEDs 30 at a wide angle, collect the light in a parallel or shallow angular direction to the upper or lower surface of the light-guiding plate 32 and introduce the collected light therein.
- the light-receiving part 34 may appear to light up unevenly without the light-shielding sheet 42 and the light-shielding layer 44 , with the light-shielding sheet 42 and the light-shielding layer 44 , it is possible to prevent uneven light from appearing.
- the horizontal support manner of the light-guiding plate 32 prevents a shape of the light-guiding plate from distorting or deforming, as mentioned above. Consequently, it is possible to prevent displacement of the light-receiving parts or the light diffusion parts provided on the light-guiding plate and the light sources or the switches.
- each of the light-receiving parts is formed in the curved surfaces, it is possible to efficiently receive the light emitted from the LED into the light-guiding plate, and thus, light emission efficiency from the light-guiding plate can be enhanced.
- the light-guiding plate has the protrusions provided on the lower surface of the light-guiding part, a lowest part of each of the protrusions contacts with each of the top portions of the sheet, the height of light-guiding part can be adjusted by the height of protrusions, and the light-guiding plate can be firmly maintained in a horizontal state through the height adjustment of the light-receiving parts and the protrusions.
- the height of the light-receiving parts is set to be equal to the added height of each of the top portions and the corresponding protrusion, the light-guiding plate can be supported over its entirety.
- each light-receiving part and the upper surface of the circuit board are fixed by the first adhesive layer, and the lowest parts of the light-guiding plate and the top portion of the sheet facing each of the movable contacts are fixed by the second adhesive layer, displacement between each movable contact, the light-guiding plate and the key top facing the movable contact can be prevented.
- the support structure of the light guiding plate in the sheet switch module according to the present invention can be employed not only in the illumination of a switch, but also in a backlight device or the like of a meter display or the like.
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Abstract
Description
- This application is based on and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-183817, filed on Jul. 13, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a sheet switch module used in small electronic devices or the like such as mobile phones.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- A conventional key switch used in small electronic devices or the like includes, as shown in
FIG.5 , acircuit board 2, a plurality ofswitches 10 provided on an upper surface of thecircuit board 2, a plurality oflight sources 8 mounted on the upper surface of thecircuit board 2, and a light-guidingplate 12 disposed to cover the switches 10 (for reference, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-53063, in particularFIG. 9 ). - Each of the
switches 10 includes a fixedcontact 4 mounted on the upper surface of thecircuit board 2 and amovable contact 6 which is disposed to cover thefixed contact 4 and comprises a tact spring. Akey top 14 is provided above each of theswitches 10. Light emitted from each of thelight sources 8 enters the light guiding-plate 12, thereby eachkey top 14 is illuminated by light emitted from thelight guiding plate 12. - In the aforementioned key switch, because the light-guiding
plate 12 is merely placed above the switches, a large gap or displacement tends to occur between eachswitch 10 and the light-guidingplate 12, and the light-guidingplate 12 and eachkey top 14, and it is difficult to align eachswitch 10 and eachkey top 14, because of a displacement is generated therebetween. Consequently, there is a problem that efficiency of light guided from thelight source 8 through thelight guiding plate 12 to eachkey top 14 is reduced. - To overcome this, there has been proposed a structure in which a light-guiding
sheet 16 is disposed to cover an upper surface of themovable contact 6 and an upper surface of thecircuit board 2 and adhered thereto through an adhesive 18 (for reference, seeFIG. 1 or the like of above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-53063). In this way, when the light-guidingsheet 16 is closely fitted to each of theswitches 10 and so on, and adhered thereto, a displacement between each switch and the corresponding key top is avoided, and a gap between the light-guidingsheet 16 and eachswitch 10 orlight sources 8 is avoided. - However, in the conventional technology disclosed in above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-53063, the light-guiding
sheet 16 tends to curve at a boundary between the upper surface of themovable contact 6 and the upper surface of thecircuit board 2, light is diffused at the curved portion thereby generating loss of the light, and there is a problem that light-guiding efficiency throughout the entire light-guiding sheet is reduced. - An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet switch module configured to arrange a light guiding plate in a horizontal (level) state, guide efficiently light emitted from a light source and prevent the generation of a displacement or gap between the light-guiding plate and other parts.
- To accomplish the above object, a sheet switch module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a circuit board, at least one switch mounted on an upper surface of the circuit board, at least one light source mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board; and a light-guiding plate including at least one light-receiving part and a light-guiding part which is disposed above the switch, the at least one light-receiving part each extended from a lower surface of the light-guiding part toward the upper surface of the circuit board, and the at least one light-receiving part supporting the light-guiding plate on the upper surface of the circuit board. Further, the light-guiding part has a thickness thinner than a height of the light source and the each of the at least one light-receiving part has a portion thicker than the height of the light source.
- Also, the at least one light-receiving part each has a concavely curved lower surface which extends from the lower surface of the light-guiding part, and a convexly curved surface connected to the concavely curved lower surface at a lowest position adjacent to the upper surface of the circuit board.
- In addition, the light-guiding part has at least one protrusion on the lower surface of the light-guiding part at a position which corresponds to each of the at least one switch on the upper surface of the circuit board. The at least one light-receiving portion and the at least one protrusion which project from the lower surface of the light-guiding plate support the light-guiding plate on the upper surface of the circuit board.
- Each of switches includes at least one fixed contact fixed to the upper surface of the circuit board and at least one movable contact each disposed over the corresponding fixed contact and attached to the upper surface of the circuit board at a peripheral edge of the movable contact.
- The sheet switch module further includes a sheet disposed on an upper surface of the at least one movable contact and fixing the at least one movable contact to the upper surface of the circuit board.
- The sheet switch module further includes a key top sheet disposed above the light guiding plate and including at least one key top each at a position facing each of the at least one switch, and the light guiding plate is disposed between the key top sheet and the switch.
- The sheet switch module has the at least one light-receiving part each has a configuration to collect light emitted from the light source.
- The sheet switch module has the at least one light-receiving part each fixed to the upper surface of the circuit board at a lowest part of the light-incident part by a first adhesive layer.
- The sheet switch module has the light-guiding plate having at least one protrusion, and a lowest part of the at least one protrusion fixed to a top portion of the sheet at a positions where each switch is disposed under the sheet. The lowest part of the protrusion is fixed to the top portion by a second adhesive layer.
- The sheet switch module further includes a light-shielding sheet adhered to the upper surface of the light guiding plate at an area facing the light-receiving part.
- The sheet switch module further includes a light-shielding layer provided on the upper surface of the sheet adjacent to the light-receiving part.
-
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a part of a sheet switch module according to one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main section of the sheet switch module shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a part of the sheet switch module shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the sheet switch module, showing one example of dot arrangement. -
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a structure of a conventional key switch. -
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a structure of another conventional key switch. - Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a sheet switch module according to one embodiment of the present invention. - The sheet switch module in this embodiment includes a
circuit board 20 formed by a flexible circuit board or the like and at least oneswitch 27 mounted on thecircuit board 20. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of switches are provided on un upper surface of thecircuit board 20. In this embodiment, each of theswitches 27 includes a fixedcontact 22 disposed on the upper surface of thecircuit board 20 and amovable contact 26 which has a dome shape over the fixedcontact 22 and has a peripheral edge disposed on and in contact with anelectrode pattern 24 on the upper surface of thecircuit board 20. The movable contact comprises, for example, a tact spring having a dome shape to achieve an electrical connection between thecorresponding electrode pattern 24 and a correspondingfixed contact 22 disposed under the movable contact when pressed from above. - The sheet switch module also includes a
thin material 28 formed in a shape of sheet or film and adhered to upper surfaces of thecircuit board 20 and themovable contacts 26 along upper external shapes thereof. The sheet orfilm 28 acts to securely attach themovable contact 26 to the upper surface of thecircuit board 20. - It should be noted that any other suitable members capable of attaching securely the
movable contacts 26 to the upper surface of thecircuit board 20 may be used. - The sheet switch module further includes a plurality of
key tops 46 each of which is disposed above each of theswitches 27 and a lower part of each of thekey tops 46 is configured to press theswitch 27 from above, at least one light source such as light-emitting diode (LED) 30 which comprises at least one LED element mounted on the upper surface and at a peripheral part of thecircuit board 20, and a light-guidingplate 32 formed in a shape of sheet or film which receives light emitted from at least oneLED 30 disposed at a periphery thereof and guides the received light to thekey tops 46. Thekey tops 46 are integrally formed with a key-top sheet 48, which is described hereinafter. - In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of LEDs are mounted on the upper surface of the
circuit board 20, and each of the LEDs emits light in a direction parallel to an upper surface of thecircuit board 20 and may have areflection frame 30 a configured to make lights toward a corresponding light-receivingpart 34 of the light-guidingplate 32, in other words, in an emission direction E (seeFIG. 2 ). Thereflection frame 30 a in this embodiment is disposed on at least upper and lower part of an emission section resin which seals the at least one LED elements. - On the other hand, the light-guiding
plate 32 is made of a material having an excellent light-guiding or light-transmitting property such as acryl resin, silicone resin, polycarbonate resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, urethane resin, and so on. In one embodiment, the light-guidingplate 32 includes a plurality of light-receivingparts 34 each of which is configured to receive light emitted from the corresponding LED and a light-guidingpart 39 configured to guide the light received at the light-receivingparts 34. The light-guiding part has a thickness thinner than a height of the light source and the light-receiving part including a portion whose thickness is thicker than the height of the light source. Each of the light-receivingparts 34 has a concavely curved lower surface integrally extending from a lower surface of thelight guiding part 39 to the upper surface of the circuit board, and has a convexly curved surface which is connected to the concavely curved lower surface at a position adjacent to the upper surface of the circuit board and extended upward to at least a height of the lower surface of the light-guiding part and extended over an upper surface of theLEDs 30 in a cross-sectional view ofFIG. 1 . Each of the light-receivingparts 34 has at a surface facing thecorresponding LED 30 the convexly curved surface facing a front surface of the LED and at a side facing the at least one switch a concavely curved surface which is gently depressed toward a side of theLED 30. - The light-guiding
plate 32 is positioned in a horizontal or level state supported by each of the light-receivingparts 34 extending to an upper surface of thecircuit board 20 and the lower surface which are disposed ontop portions 28 a of thesheet material 28. - Each of the light-receiving
parts 34 in the embodiment has an approximately crescent-like shape which is disposed to face and surround each of light-emitting surfaces theLEDs 30, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 and formed to surround the emission direction in a generally semi-circular shape, as viewed from above, as shown inFIG. 3 . - Each of the light-receiving
parts 34 also works as a lens to focus light, similar to a convex lens and is configured to collect lights from each of theLEDs 30 and allow the collected lights to be transmitted through the light-guidingplate 32. - In addition, the light-guiding
plate 32 in the embodiment includes a plurality ofprotrusions 36 each of which is provided at a position facing atop portion 28 a of thesheet 28 opposing an apex of each of themovable contacts 26 and has a shape similar to a part of a sphere. Theprotrusions 36 may be formed, for example, by printing resin on the lower surface of the light-guidingplate 32. - In
FIG. 1 ,reference number 38 shows a first adhesive layer disposed to face each of the light-receiving parts, and reference number 40 a second adhesive layer disposed to face each of thetop portions 28 a of thesheet material 28. The firstadhesive layer 38 is provided on the upper surface of thecircuit board 20 to fix a lowest part of the light-receivingpart 34 to the upper surface of the light-guidingplate 32. The secondadhesive layer 40 is configured to fix a lowest part of each of theprotrusions 36 to each of thetop portions 28 a of thesheet 28 at a position where each of the switches is provided under thesheet 28. - In
FIG. 1 ,reference number 42 shows a light-shielding sheet which is adhered to the upper surface of the light-guidingplate 32 at an area aboveLEDs 30 and light-receivingparts 34.Reference number 44 shows a light-shielding layer formed on an upper surface of thesheet 28 by printing, for example, and the light-shielding layer 44 is disposed at an area adjacent to each light-receivingpart 34 and opposite to the corresponding LED 30 (seeFIGS. 1 and 2 ). - In the sheet switch module structured as described above, the aforementioned key
top sheet 48 provided with the key tops 46 each of which is disposed at a position corresponding to each of theswitches 27 is disposed on the light-guidingplate 32. Here, it should be noted that the keytop sheet 48 is disposed above the light-guidingplate 32 in such a manner that the key tops 46 are disposed facing theswitches 27, respectively. - In this embodiment, the key
top sheet 48 has a light-transmitting property at key tops 46, at least. Each of the key tops 46 is lighted up by transmitted light through the light-guidingplate 32. Therefore, light-diffusingparts 33, each formed by a plurality ofdots 33 a are preferably provided at portions of an upper or lower surface of the light-guidingplate 32 at positions facing the key tops 46, as shown inFIG. 3 . The light being transmitted through the light-guidingplate 32 is diffused by thedots 33 a to illuminate the key tops 46. - The
dots 33 a in the embodiment are structured to form gradation patterns having increasing density of dots with increasing distance from theLEDs 30 to obtain uniform emission. Also, thedots 33 a can be formed by any one or any combination of transparent, semi-transparent and white printings. In this way, when combining the transparent, semi-transparent and white printings to obtain the uniform emission, the number and the density of thedots 33 a are set to be constant, and the transparent, semi-transparent andwhite dots 33 a are arranged in order according to distance from theLED 30, as shown inFIG. 4 . - The light-guiding
plate 32 in the sheet switch module is supported by the light-receivingparts 34 extended from the lower surface of the light-guidingplate 32 to the upper surface of the circuit board and theprotrusions 36 which are provided on the lower surface of the light-guiding portion and disposed on thetop portions 28 a of thesheet material 28. As mentioned above, because the height of each of the light-receivingparts 34 is set to have the similar height to an added height of each of thetop portions 28 a (from the upper surface of the circuit board 20) and aprotrusion 36, the light-guidingplate 32 is supported in a generally horizontal (level) state. Because the light-guidingplate 32 is supported in the horizontal state in this way, the light-guidingpart 39 is kept straight and stable, the light introduced into the light-guiding plate can be guided efficiently to the key tops 46. - In addition, since the light-guiding
plate 32 is supported in the horizontal state, gaps or displacements do not occur even when a lower surface of each of the key tops 46 is not adhered to the upper surface of the light-guiding portion. As a result,since a lower surface of the keytop sheet 48 is adhered to the upper surface of the light-guiding plate at portions away from the key tops 46, therefore, it is possible to enhance the operational feeling of pressing each key top 46 and prevent occurrence of abnormal sounds when the key top 46 comes into contact with the top portion of thesheet material 28. - It should be noted that, because the light-guiding
plate 32 is disposed in the horizontal state, the keytop sheet 48 can be disposed above the light-guidingplate 32 in a state where each key top 46 is in contact with the light-guidingplate 32 even if the key top 46 is not adhered to the light-guidingplate 32. It is possible to fix the keytop sheet 48, except for parts thereof with key tops 46, by adhering it to the light-guidingplate 32, thecircuit board 20 or the like. Because the key top 46 is in close contact with theswitch 27 without adhesively attaching the key top and the switch, it is possible to prevent degradation of click feeling of theswitch 27. - In addition, in the embodiment, the
protrusion 36 is provided on the lower surface of the light-guidingpart 39 contacting with thetop portion 28 a of thesheet material 28 to enhance pressing operational feeling and allow adjustment of the height of the light-guiding plate compared to the height of the light-receivingpart 34, but the lower surface of the light-guidingplate 32 may be attached directly to thetop portion 28 a of the sheet material, without providing theprotrusion 36. - On the other hand, it should be noted that the light-receiving
part 34 of the light-guidingplate 32 is formed in a lens shape facing theLED 30, as shown inFIG. 2 . Thereby, because the light-receivingpart 34 can efficiently collect the light emitted from theLED 30 and introduce it therein, the light-guidingplate 32 can receive the light emitted from theLEDs 30 at a wide angle, collect the light in a parallel or shallow angular direction to the upper or lower surface of the light-guidingplate 32 and introduce the collected light therein. - Although a part of the light-receiving
part 34 may appear to light up unevenly without the light-shieldingsheet 42 and the light-shielding layer 44, with the light-shieldingsheet 42 and the light-shielding layer 44, it is possible to prevent uneven light from appearing. - The horizontal support manner of the light-guiding
plate 32 prevents a shape of the light-guiding plate from distorting or deforming, as mentioned above. Consequently, it is possible to prevent displacement of the light-receiving parts or the light diffusion parts provided on the light-guiding plate and the light sources or the switches. - Moreover, because each of the light-receiving parts is formed in the curved surfaces, it is possible to efficiently receive the light emitted from the LED into the light-guiding plate, and thus, light emission efficiency from the light-guiding plate can be enhanced.
- Moreover, because the light-guiding plate has the protrusions provided on the lower surface of the light-guiding part, a lowest part of each of the protrusions contacts with each of the top portions of the sheet, the height of light-guiding part can be adjusted by the height of protrusions, and the light-guiding plate can be firmly maintained in a horizontal state through the height adjustment of the light-receiving parts and the protrusions.
- Furthermore, because the height of the light-receiving parts is set to be equal to the added height of each of the top portions and the corresponding protrusion, the light-guiding plate can be supported over its entirety.
- In addition, because the lowest part of each light-receiving part and the upper surface of the circuit board are fixed by the first adhesive layer, and the lowest parts of the light-guiding plate and the top portion of the sheet facing each of the movable contacts are fixed by the second adhesive layer, displacement between each movable contact, the light-guiding plate and the key top facing the movable contact can be prevented.
- Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments.
- The support structure of the light guiding plate in the sheet switch module according to the present invention can be employed not only in the illumination of a switch, but also in a backlight device or the like of a meter display or the like.
Claims (15)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2007-183817 | 2007-07-13 | ||
JP2007183817A JP2009021142A (en) | 2007-07-13 | 2007-07-13 | Sheet switch module |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090014305A1 true US20090014305A1 (en) | 2009-01-15 |
US7893374B2 US7893374B2 (en) | 2011-02-22 |
Family
ID=40157594
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/172,200 Expired - Fee Related US7893374B2 (en) | 2007-07-13 | 2008-07-11 | Sheet switch module |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7893374B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2009021142A (en) |
CN (1) | CN101409168B (en) |
DE (1) | DE102008032376A1 (en) |
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US8213762B2 (en) | 2008-08-25 | 2012-07-03 | Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd. | Lightguide plate and lightguide plate manufacturing method |
US20130208441A1 (en) * | 2012-02-14 | 2013-08-15 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Keypad lighting device for portable terminal |
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US20140138229A1 (en) * | 2012-11-21 | 2014-05-22 | Primax Electronics Ltd. | Luminous keyboard |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7893374B2 (en) | 2011-02-22 |
CN101409168A (en) | 2009-04-15 |
DE102008032376A1 (en) | 2009-01-29 |
CN101409168B (en) | 2013-05-01 |
JP2009021142A (en) | 2009-01-29 |
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